Spacer clip for joining and supporting crosswisely extending reinforcing bars

ABSTRACT

Spacer clip for joining crosswisely extending reinforcing bars at their intersection in preparation for casting concrete slabs and the like and supporting them in elevated position above the casting mold, the clip having an inverted generally U-shaped body in which the upper one of the bars is resiliently maintained in contact with the lower one of the bars which is seated in a recess, the axis of which extends transversely to and below the upper rod.

Umted States Patent 11 1 1111 3,916,593

Skold Nov. 4, 1975 SPACER CLIP FOR JOINING AND 3,694,988 10/1972 Skold 52/678 SUPPORTING CROSSWISELY EXTENDING FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS REINFORCING BARS 226,149 4/1969 Sweden [76] Inventor: Mats Folke Skold, Backvagen 78, Hager ten Sweden 22 il N0 16 1973 Gateway Building Products Catalog Gl-27l copyright 1971 (4 pages of spec.). 21 Appl. N6; 416,502

Related US. Application Data Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh [60] Division of Set. No. 229,703, Feb. 28, 1972, Pat. No. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Erie Munson 3,789,491, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 3,765, Jan. 19, 1970, Pat. No. 3,694,988. ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Spacer clip for joining crosswisely extending reinforc- Mal. 2 1971 Sweden 2619/71 ihg bars at their intersection in Preparation for Casting concrete slabs and the like and supporting them in ele- [52] us. Cl. 52/686 Vaied Position above the casting mold, the p having 511 1m. (:1. 1104c 5/16 an inverted generally p y in Whieh the [58] Field of Search 52/689, 678, 6 86 upper one Of the bars is resiliently maintained in contact with the lower one of the bars which is seated 5 Referenm Cited in a recess, the axis of which extends transversely to UNITED STATES PATENTS and belw the upper 3,449,882 6/1969 0:: 52/689 10 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 She et10f4 3,916,593

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,916,593

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,916,593

Sheet 4 of 4 3,916,593

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application is a division of my copending application Ser. No. 229,703, filed Feb. 28, 1972, now U.S.

Pat. No. 3,789,491, which in turn was a continuationin-part of copending application Ser. No. 3,765, filed Jan. 19, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,694,988.

In the practice of casting concrete slabs and the like reinforcing bars of steel or other material are laid on the deck of the mold form in crosswise directions. In the past these reinforcing bars were tied together at their intersection by wire and raised above the deck by tying them to wire supports. For the purpose of alleviating the labor and reducing the installation cost, spacer clips have been used to replace the outmoded method of tying the reinforcing bars together by wire. Examples of such spacer clips are shown in applicants U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,461,536 and 3,694,988. It will be noted that such spacer clips not only tie the reinforcing bars together at their intersections, but also support and secure them in place at a spaced distance above the deck. Therefore, this type of spacer clip provides support and stability for the reinforcement mat and working loads created by workmen on the project will not depress the spacer clip, such as is the case with wire supports. Thus, the desired concrete cover for the bottom of the slab to be poured is ensured.

The spacer clip may be applied manually to the reinforcing bars or by means of a tool as disclosed in applicants U.S. Pat. No. 3,461,536. This tool comprises a magazine or a channel having an opening at the lower part thereof from which the spacer clips are ejected. The foot of the tool or gun is placed over two intersecting bars and when the clip is forced out from the magazine or channel by pressure exerted on the handles, the reinforcing bars are automatically locked into position spaced above the deck of the mold.

The spacer clips or clip chairs as they are commonly called in the industry are all plastic and usually are molded in cartridges of five or more in each cartridge for quick loading into the gun.

Many times during inspection of reinforcing steel placement, the inspector requires that additional supports may be needed in certain areas. The spring clip or clip chair according to the invention can'be readily applied to any such area by means of quick application with the tool or gun and eliminates having to raise the steel to install additional supports, as is common when supporting reinforcing steel with wire bar supports. Reinforcing bars for floor slabs can be tied in place, spaced and supported in one operation. This operation can be carried out from a comfortable standing position and does not involve any bending or crouching.

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the present invention is to provide a spacer clip which is an improvement of the spacing member shown and described in applicants U.S. Pat. No. 3,461,536, and of the spacer clip or clip chair shown and described in applicants copending application Ser. No. 3,765.

The major improvement according to the present invention comtemplates the provision of a spacer clip or clip chair which can be used for reinforcing bars of var ious thicknesses or sizes, whereby the number of sizes 2 of the spacer clips can be reduced considerably, with consequently reduced manufacturing costs, due to the fact that a smaller number of tools will be necessary for the manufacturing of the spacer clips.

A further valuable improvement resides in the fact that the spacing member, having been attached to the reinforcing bars, is effectively locked thereto which will prevent the spacing members from working loose from the reinforcing iron bars when the concrete is poured 0 or subjected to traffic.

mechanical stresses produced by the vibrating rod when pouring the concrete around the spacing members. I

A further improvement of the spacer clip resides in the fact, that it can easily be attached to the reinforcing iron bars manually without a too], if necessary, since it is provided with flexible parts, which will permit the use of minimal manual power to fix the spacing member to the reinforcing iron bars. Thus, there is no necessity to squeeze or press the spacing member to the reinforcing iron bars since the spacing members will slip or snap on to the same without difficulty.

The invention furthermore contemplates an im proved construction which adapts itself for practical and convenient use in combination with a tool or gun which comprises a lifting mechanism for the elevation of the reinforcing bars into a tied or locked position without risk of lateral displacement of the lower bar from its predetermined location in the mold form. This feature becomes of particular importance when han dling reinforcing bars of large cross section and heavy weight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The spacer clip or clip chair according to the invention comprises two side members or legs which are joined in spaced relationship from one another by means of a bridging member toform an inverted generally Ushaped body into which the upper one of the crosswisely extending reinforcing bars is inserted.

The legs or side members are provided with laterally extending support members. Each leg or side member has an open recess having a bar or rod engaging surface. The axis of the recess extends substantially at a right angle to the upper one of the bars and is spaced a distance below the bridging member so as to insure abutting contact between the two bars when they are seated or locked in their position in the clip chair. The legs and/or the bridging member are provided with resilient members for guiding and maintaining the upper bar in forced contact with the lower bar. The opposing resilient edge portions of the members may be provided with guide flanges which engage the upper reinforcing bar.

The spring clip according to the invention is provided with a pair of spring members each extending from its respective side member or leg across the opening formed by the recesses and are adapted to be deflected by the inserting movement of the lower bar to spring back when the bar becomes seated in the recess.

The spacer clip or clip chair according to the invention is preferably made of a plastic material known under the trademark LUPOLEN 6041 D which is a 3 polyethelene product stabilized against deformation and oxidation under heat and is manufactured by Badische Anilin & Soda-Fabrik AG.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1. is a perspective view of a tool for application of spacer clips according to the invention.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are perspective views of difierent embodiments of spacer clips according to the invention each one of which may be applied to the reinforcing bars by means of the tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are front elevational views of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, each figure showing the application of the spacer clip to reinforcing bars having a different cross-sectional area.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modification of the spacer clip according to the invention. FIGS. 9, 10, ll, 12, and 13 are front elevational views of the spacer clip shown in FIG. 8 arranged with different combinations of reinforcing bars of different cross-sectional areas.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view drawn to an enlarged scale of the lower part of a tool by which the spacer clip is applied.

FIG..15 is a side view of the lower part of the tool, partly in cross-section, in a preliminary stage of a lifting operation.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the lower part of the tool with a spacer clip, in which the reinforcing bars are joined by means of the engaging members in the tool.

FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the upper part of a modified spacer clip provided with flexible support members having projecting guiding members for contacting and guiding the upper reinforcing bar to the center of the spacing element.

FIG. 18 is a similar view of the spacing element, showing the function of the support members and the guiding parts when applied to a reinforcing bar having a larger cross-sectional area.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a modified spacer clip with notched support members.

. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the lower part of the tool having a spacer clip in position for application to the reinforcing bars as shown in FIG. 19.

Referring to the drawings the reference numeral 10 indicates an elongated magazine in the tool or gun into which a number of spacer clips 11 in the form of a cartridge are loaded. The tool is held downwardly when applying spacer clips 11 to the crosswisely extending reinforcing bars 12, 12'. A weight 13 may be placed on the uppermost spacer clip 1 l which is intended to exert a downward load on the spacer clips to cause them to move toward a discharge opening in the end of the magazine 10. The tool is provided with a support member 14 on which hookshaped restraining members 15, 15' are pivotally mounted for engaging the underlying reinforcing bar 12. The crank arms 16, 16' for raising the reinforcing bars 12, 12' into their seated position in spacer clips 11 are also pivotably mounted on the support member 14. The crank arms 16, 16' are connected by means of a linkage system to handles l7, 17', which are connected to the rod 18 which slidably engages the sleeves 18, 18 which are mounted on the back of the tool behind the magazine. The forked lower end of the rod 18 is pivoted to the forkshaped rod 19, which is in turn pivoted to the crank arms 16, 16'. Expansion springs 20 are anchored at one end to the back of the tool and at the other end to the pivot connection between the rod 18 and the bar 19 which springs tend to maintain the rods and the bar under spring tension in a substantially aligned vertical position. The crank arms 16, 16' are provided with clip ejector means for engaging the lowermost spacing clip 11. The aforementioned movable members 15, 15, 16, 16, 18, 19 are arranged to eject the spacer clips 11, one by one, from the discharge opening in the magazine 10 by the downward movement of the handles 17, 17 and to elevate and join the crosswisely extending reinforcing bars l2, 12 by means of the spacing elements 11 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The tyingtogether of the crosswisely extending reinforcing bars 12, 12' can also be carried out with the tool and spacer clips 11 when the reinforcing bars 12, 12' are arranged at a considerable distance above the floor of the casting mold. For this purpose, the magazine 10 is provided with funnel-shaped retainers 9 9' at its lower end, so as to locate the spacer clips 11 in a predetermined location before their ejection from the magazine.

The spacer clips 11 can also be used for manually elevating and/or tying together reinforcing bars l2, 12 without the aid of a tool, but the tool facilitates the work considerably and makes it possible for workmen to carry out the operation from a comfortable standing practical position with consequent saving in time and labor.

The several modifications of the spacer clip according to the invention are constructed so that they all can be used in the same tool with consequent obvious ad vantages. The several embodiments of the spacer clips 11 can be modified and adjusted for various cross-sectional areas and thicknesses of reinforcing bars and combinations thereof.

In the drawings the spacer clips are indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 l and the basic elements used in all of the embodiments have been given the same reference numeral. These basic constructions comprise the legs 21, 21' which are joined and spaced apart by a bridging portion 22 to form an inverted sub stantially U-shaped body. The legs 21, 21 are provided with laterally extending support members 23, 23. Each leg is provided with an open recess having a bar engaging surface located a distance above the base of the mold for receiving and seating the reinforcing bars. Hook-shaped flexible members 25, 25' extend from their associated leg members adjacent the bridging portion 22 across the openings of the recesses 24, 24. The hook-shaped flexible members are provided with perpendicularly projecting guide pins 26, 26'. Since the abovementioned basic elements are included in all embodiments and also are clearly shown in the figures, the reference numerals have been excluded in most of the figures shown and the same applies to reference numeral 11 indicating the spacer clip in general.

In order to guide the spacer clip effectively in the magazine 10 of the tool during ejection therefrom, the distance between the vertical outer edges of the lateral support members 23, 23' is maintained equal in all embodiments, said distance being indicated by vertical lines in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The distance between the guide pins 26, 26' and the lower ends of the legs 21, 21 is also maintained equal in all embodiments, since the guide pins 26, 26 must fit the retainers 9, 9' at the lower end of the magazine 10.

The underlying reinforcing bars are indicated by reference numeral 12 and the overlying ones by 12 in all embodiments shown, without any regard to their crosssectional area.

In FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are shown modifications of the spacer clip shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Said modifications show the spacer clip provided with opposingflanges 27, 27 projecting from the inside surfaces of-the legs 21, 21 parallel with the bridging portion 22. The flanges 27, 27' can be joined to each other by means of a thin, frangible, plastic membrane 28. The flanges 27, 27 are flexible as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, and intended to resiliently engage the overlying reinforcing bar 12'. In FIG. 5, the reinforcing bars 12,12 are shown as having the same cross-sectional area or diameter which is relatively small. In FIG. 6, the underlying reinforcing bar I2 is shown as having a larger cross-sectional area than the overlying reinforcing bar 12. In FIG. 7 the reinforcing bars have the same diameter but are of a larger cross-sectional area than the bars of FIG. 5. In all of the combinations of reinforcing bars 12, 12, the flanges 27, 27' engage the bars under spring tension.

In FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are shown a modification of the spacer clip, which is applicable for an even greater range of combinations of reinforcing bars 12, 12' of different cross-sectional areas of thicknesses. In said modification, the bridging portion 22 is provided with two supplemental flanges 29, 29', projecting from the bridging portion and extending parallel to the legs 21, 21 towards the free ends of the legs. The supplemental flanges 29, 29' may be flexed sidewise to cooperate with the flanges 27, 27 to form a resilient contact with the overlying reinforcing bar In FIG. 9 is shown two reinforcing bars l2, 12 having the same relatively small cross-sectional area. In FIG. 10 is shown an underlying reinforcing bar 12 having a smaller cross-sectional area than the upper reinforcing bar 12'. In FIG. 11 the two reinforcing bars 12, 12' have the same cross-sectional area as the overlying bar shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 12 the underlying reinforcing bar has the same cross-sectional area as that of the corresponding bar shown in FIG. 11 while the overlying bar 12 has a larger cross-sectional area. In FIG. 13, both bars 12, 12' have the same cross-sectional area as the overlying bar I2 as shown in FIG. 12. In all the modifications shown, the flanges 27, 27 in combination with the supplemental flanges 29, 29 exert a resilient contact with the overlying reinforcing bar. This is important for ensuring the locking of the two reinforcing bars into position in the spacer clip 11. In the modifications shown in FIGS. 8-13 the clip is provided with flexible guide tongues 30, 30', which project laterally from the legs 21, 21' and which are intended to stabilize the spacer clip in the magazine 10.

This modification is particularly applicable for the uppermost spacer clip, when a number of slips are joined together into the form of a cartridge. Improved guidance of the spacer clip in each cartridge is thereby ensured. Obviously, the guide tongues 30, 30 can be of any shape, such as of circular or rectangular cross-section.

In FIGS. I7 and 18 are shown the upper part of a spacer clip according to the invention in which the flanges 27, 27' are provided with end portions 31 and 31 which incline towards the legs 21, 21'. These will increase the resilient contact with the overlying reinforcing bar 112' and guide it into a central position between the legs 21, 21, regardless of the cross-sectional area of the reinforcing bar 12. As shown in FIG. 17, the flanges 27, 27' are joined to each other by means of a thin plastic membrane 28.

The spacer clips 11 may be molded together into cartridges by means of frangible webs 32, 32 which are sheared off as the spacer clips are individually ejected from the magazine.

FIG. 19 shows a spacer clip according to the invention in which the lateral support members 23, 23' are provided with notches 35, 35' which divide the members 23, 23' into two sections. The bottom of the notches should be located so that the vertical height of the lower section is equal to or lesser than the distance between the lowest point of the magazine 10 and'the bottom horizontal edge of the funnel retainers 9, 9. By inclining the upper edges of the notches 35, 35, the upper section of the supporting members 23, 23', will be reduced in area with a consequent reduction of the force exerted on the retainers 9, 9 during the ejection of the spacer clips from the magazine.

Spacer clips according to the invention which are designed for tying or locking together reinforcing bars of large cross-sectional area or thickness are preferably provided with grooves 33, 33' adjacent the bottom front edge portion of the recesses 24, 24 thus producing supplemental restraining means 34, 34 which will serve to restrain any unintended disengagement of the lower reinforcing bar 12 from the recesses 24, 24'.

The spacer clips are molded from a resilient synthetic plastic material, as described herein, which results in a self sustaining but still resilient article which lends itself to ejection from the tool, as well as to support and lock the reinforcing bars into position. The polyethylene known under the trademark LUPOLEN 6041 D re ferred to herein has been found particularly suitable, because of its resistance to extreme hot and cold temperatures. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to said synthetic plastic material, and other plastic materials may be used which meet the requirements of the invention.

It should be understood that the above description is given by way of example and not by way of limitation and the inventive concept disclosed herein may find a variety of expressions within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A spacer clip of molded plastic resilient material for joining two crosswisely extending bars at their intersection and supporting and retaining them in a position spaced above a base, comprising:

a. a pair of vertically extending spaced leg members interconnected at the top by a bridging member extending generally horizontally to define an inverted generally U-shaped body adapted to receive the overlying one of the bars and having a bar engaging surface;

b. an open recess having a second bar engaging surface in each of said leg members for receiving and seating the underlying one of the bars, having its axis extending transversely to the axis of the bridging member, the bottom bar engaging surface of said recesses being spaced a distance from the bar engaging surface of the bridging member which is equal to or less than the combined thicknesses of the two bars;

c. a pair of flexible members each depending downwardly from said bridging member at a spaced distance from said leg members and said second bar engaging surface and having an end portion directed inwardly in opposite relation to said second 7 bar engaging surface to permit said members to be flexed inwardly towards said recess;

d. said flexible members being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the spacing between the leg members and adapted to engage the underlying one of the bars and to be deflected thereby upon the insertion of the bar in the recesses and spring back and secure said under-lying bar against said second bar engaging surface upon the seating of the bar;

e. said bar engaging surface of said bridging member comprising oppositely disposed flexible flanges extending inwardly from the leg members and located between the recesses and the bridging member.

2. A spacer clip according to claim 1, in which the flexible flanges are joined by a frangible membrane.

3. A spacer clip according to claim 1, in which the end portion of the flexible flanges are provided with supplemental bar engaging flanges.

4. A spacer clip according to claim 3, in which the bar engaging flanges incline outwardly and downwardly to center the overlying bar between the leg members.

5. A spacer clip according to claim 1, having guide means extending perpendicularly outwardly from the flexible members.

6. A spacer clip according to claim 1, having a pair of spaced flexible secondary flanges depending from the bridging member and adapted to be flexed outwardly towards the leg members by engagement with the oppositely disposed flexible flanges.

7. A spacer clip according to claim 1 in which said second bar engaging surfaces are provided with means adjacent the lower open ends thereof for restraining the bar in the seated position in the recesses.

8. A spacer clip according to claim 1, having guide tongues extending laterally from the bridging member.

9. A spacer clip according to claim 1, in which said leg members are provided with laterally extending support members.

10. A spacer clip according to claim 9, in which said support members are notched. 

1. A spacer clip of molded plastic resilient material for joining two crosswisely extending bars at their intersection and supporting and retaining them in a position spaced above a base, comprising: a. a pair of vertically extending spaced leg members interconnected at the top by a bridging member extending generally horizontally to define an inverted generally U-shaped body adapted to receive the overlying one of the bars and having a bar engaging surface; b. an open recess having a second bar engaging surface in each of said leg members for receiving and seating the underlying one of the bars, having its axis extending transversely to the axis of the bridging member, the bottom bar engaging surface of said recesses being spaced a distance from the bar engaging surface of the bridging member which is equal to or less than the combined thicknesses of the two bars; c. a pair of flexible members each depending downwardly from said bridging member at a spaced distance from said leg members and said second bar engaging surface and having an end portion directed inwardly in opposite relation to said second bar engaging surface to permit said members to be flexed inwardly towards said recess; d. said flexible members being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the spacing between the leg members and adapted to engage the underlying one of the bars and to be deflected thereby upon the insertion of the bar in the recesses and spring back and secure said under-lying bar against said second bar engaging surface upon the seating of the bar; e. said bar engaging surface of said bridging member comprising oppositely disposed flexible flanges extending inwardly from the leg members and located between the recesses and the bridging member.
 2. A spacer clip according to claim 1, in which the flexible flanges are joined by a frangible membrane.
 3. A spacer clip according to claim 1, in which the end portion of the flexible flanges are provided with supplemental bar engaging flanges.
 4. A spacer clip according to claim 3, in which the bar engaging flanges incline outwardly and downwardly to center the overlying bar between the leg members.
 5. A spacer clip according to claim 1, having guide means extending perpendicularly outwardly from the flexible members.
 6. A spacer clip according to claim 1, having a pair of spaced flexible secondary flanges depending from the bridging member and adapted to be flexed outwardly towards the leg members by engagement with the oppositely disposed flexible flanges.
 7. A spacer clip according to claim 1, in which said second bar engaging surfaces are provided with means adjacent the lower open ends thereof for restraining the bar in the seated position in the recesses.
 8. A spacer clip according to claim 1, having guide tongues extending laterally from the bridging member.
 9. A spacer clip according to claim 1, in which said leg members are provided with laterally extending support members.
 10. A spacer clip according to claim 9, in which said support members are notched. 